Oil gauge rod



June 28, 11932. M SPENCER L8@5,285

OIL GAUGE ROD Filed Sept. 28, 1929 amen tom atented June 28, E1932 LOUIS M. SPENCER, OF DETROIT, MICHEGAN,

ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS CQRWa T1033, F DETILRGH, MICHIGAIQ', A CURPORATION 01E DELAWARE 01L GAUGE BOD Application filed September as, was. Serial no. seam.

displacement but may be readily removed when desired.-

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following specification in m which is described the preferred embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a view, mainly in transverse my cross section, of the lower part of an internal combustion engine in which is incorporated my invention.

-Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the oil gauge rod which is shown in Fig- 5, ure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a slight 1y modified form of oil gauge rod.

lhere is shown, in Figural of the drawing, an internal combustion engine which in- 39 cludes a crankcase 10 whose bottom is closed by anoil pan 11 in which, during the operation of the engine, apredetermined volume of lubricating oil is adapted to be maintained.

Through a wall of the crankcase, there extends a tubular passage 12 through which the lower end of an oil gauge rod 13 is adapted to be inserted into the body of lubricating oil a in the oil pan. The lower end of the rod is, as-shown in the drawing, suitably graduated g0 so that when the rod is withdrawn through the passage 12, the level of the lubricating oil in the oil pan may be determined by noting to what extent the rod is coated with oil.

The oil gauge rod, which is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, consists of a strlp of resilient metal of which one end is looped back upon itself to form a handle 14. Surrounding the inner end of the return-bent portion and the adjacent part of the body portion of the rod, there is provided a suitable washer 15, which is adapted to seal the outer end of the passage 12, when the rod is in the position in which it is shown in Figure 1, to prevent oil being splashed out of the oil pan therethrough when the engine is operatmg.

To maintain the oil gauge rod in frictional engagement with the walls of the opening 12, so as to prevent its becoming displaced during the operation of the engine, the central portion 16 of that part of the rod which is located within the tubular passage 12 is severed from the side portions 17 longitudinally of the rod and both the side portions 17 and the central portion 16 displaced from the plane of the rod.

When the oil gauge rod is inserted into the passage 12, the displaced central and side portions 16 and 17 are forced toward the axis of the rod and the inherent resiliency of the metal then holds them in frictional engagement with the walls of the passage and prevents accidental displacement of the rod.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in F igures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the displaced central and side portions 16 and 17 of the rod are shown to consist of straight portions which extend parallel to the axis of the rod and are joined at both ends to the body of the rod by inclined portions. in this embodiment of the invention, the

washer 15 is kept in position adjacent the handle 14 by the inherent tendency of the inner part of the looped-back portion to spread apart or, if desired, a lip 18 ma be formed on the innerv end of the returnent portion to perform this function.

The embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing, differs from that which is illustrated in Figure 2 only in that the outer ends of the displaced portions 16a and 17a of the rod are oined to the body thereof by portions which extend at right angles to the axis of the rod and which form shoulders which prevent the washer 15 sliding downwardly on the rod.

Although I have shown anddescribed preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of example and not by way of limitation, and that the scope of my invention is to be determined only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An oil uge rod which consists of a a strip of resillent material on which is provided a portion which is partially severed from the strip and displaced from the plane thereof and which is adapted frictionally and resiliently to engage the walls of an opening to prevent displacement of the rod.

2. An oil uge rod which consists of a strip of resilient material having a part of its central portion severed longitudinally from the adjacent side portions and the side 1 and central portions displaced from the plane of the rod. 4 p

3. An oil gauge rod which consists of a strip of resilient material on which there is provided a portion which is joined at both go ends to the strip partially severed from the strip, displaced from the plane thereof and adapted frictionally and resiliently to engage the walls of an opening to prevent displacement of the rod.

as 4. An oil gauge rod which consists of a stri of resilient material having its-longitudmally central portion severed longitudinally from the laterally adjacent portions, the last named portions being displaced to to one side of the plane of the rod and the central portion being displaced to the other side of the said plane.

5. An oil gauge rod which includes a handle portion, and a body portion consisting ll of a single thickness of a strip of resilient material on which there are provided inteal portions which are independent of the andle portion, which are displaced to opposite sides. of the planeof the strip and which are adapted frictionally and resiliently to engage the walls of an opening to prevent displacement of the rod.

6. An oil gauge rod which includes a handle portion, and a body portion consisting of a single thickness of a strip of resilient material of which an integral portion which is independent of the handle portion is displaced from the plane of the main part of the body portion so as to provide on the body portion two portions which are out of alignment lengthwise of the body portion and which are independent of the handle portion and are adapted frictionally and resiliently to engage the walls of an opening to prevent displacement of the rod.

7 A device of the class described comprising an elongated strip of resilient material having a limited intermediate portion thereof divided into a pluralit of parts integrally connected to the remain er of the strip, said parts being bent outwardly into spaced relation one with the other, and means adapted to close an opening secured about the strip adjacent one end thereof. 7

8. An oil gauge formed of a single integral memes.

strip of sheet metal, provided with a lengthwise slit adjacent one end, and with the portions adjacent the'slit deflected in opposite directions to provide an enlarged resilient gripping section.

9. A gau comprising an elongated strip of material aving a limited portion thereof divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections. deflected in" difl'erent directions with respect to the undivided portion of the strip.

10..A gauge comprising an elongated strip of materlal having a limited portion thereof divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections deflected in diflerent directions with respect to the undivided portion of the strip, the upfier end of the strip being formed into a ban 0, and a member adapted to close an openin secured to the strip between the handle an the deflected portions of the strip.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si ature.

, LOUIS M. SPE OER. 

